Josh Smith's agent told CBS Sports' Ken Berger that he spoke with Atlanta Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry on Wednesday to discuss his client's frustration with the struggling team, but he added that the discussion did not include a trade request.
Josh Smith’s agent relays frustration to Hawks, doesn’t demand trade
The Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith’s agent discussed the future on Wednesday, and while the player’s agent didn’t ask for a trade, he admitted that Smith is frustrated.
Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE
Agent Wallace Prather told Berger that he wasn’t pushing for a trade, but he did acknowledge that Smith is frustrated over the situation in Atlanta. He also said that other teams are interested in the versatile forward. Other sources in the NBA confirmed to Berger that there is widespread interest.
The news comes the day of Smith's one-game suspension. Following an embarrassing 97-58 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Smith was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team" and will miss Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Atlanta has lost six of its last seven games.
Smith's suspension only added to the questions surrounding his future. The Hawks are set to have a high-spending summer after trading the heavy contract of Joe Johnson away during the offseason, and Smith is at the center of what Ferry and fellow Hawks executives must decide. A free agent this summer, Smith could be traded away during this season to get something in return, or the Hawks could decide to re-sign him.
Smith is at the end of a contract that is paying him $13.2 million in the final year. He is averaging 16.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season.
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